School Board Bumps Capital Projects List and Shifts Funding to White Pine
Action taken by the Jefferson County School Board following push back from the Jefferson County Budget Committee leaves an unfunded Capital Projects Plan and a White Pine renovation project that is short on time and money. Earlier in November, the School Board was informed that the $2.8 million dollars in funding that was earmarked for a complete renovation and addition package at White Pine School would be short $755,000. In addition to the financial shortfall, which the Cope architect firm has attributed to the around six months between their estimate and the receiving of bids, the new numbers include only a small contingency line and do not provide for professional installation of the roof. Board Members approved, in a split vote, sending a request for assistance to the Jefferson County Budget Committee. Previously the Jefferson County Commission had approved a $1 million dollar contribution to the White Pine project and that contribution was matched by the School Board. Initially, the project was to begin last spring but a contract dispute with Cope, the architect firm, put things on hold. Though the County Commission and the School Board had agreed on a project scope that would include eight classrooms, a band room and kitchen renovation for a $2 million dollar price tag, the architect firm that was awarded the design contract determined that they could only provide a kitchen renovation and four classrooms within budget. The additional four classrooms and the band room became alternatives. When the School Board was informed that their fund balance was healthier than anticipated, they earmarked an additional $800,000 to the White Pine Project which paid for the alternatives and provided the space originally identified as needed at the school.
In addition to funding the White Pine Project, the School Board also funded the 2016/2017 Capital Projects Plan in the amount of $715,000. The plan addressed concerns from the County Commission regarding “surprise expenses” and answered identified needs at several schools in the County. As of last week’s School Board meeting only one contract had been signed regarding the Capital Project’s list, which was window replacement at Piedmont School, though the contract for the fly box equipment for Jefferson County High School was ready to be awarded. Director of Schools Edmonds informed the Board that he had carried their request for further assistance to the Budget Committee and that the Budget Committee had suggested a revisiting of the scope of plans as provided by this architect, noting that other architect companies interviewed might be able to meet the space and financial needs of the project. A representative from Cope addressed the Board and stated that the up turn in the market has driven the prices up and that for a quality building project it would cost $2.6 million for four classrooms and a kitchen renovation. The price for eight classrooms, a band room and kitchen renovation would be in the $3.5 million dollar range. That price would include a small contingency but no professional installation of the roof. Director of Maintenance and Business Affairs Phagan said that the Maintenance Department, with the help of prison labor, would install the roof, noting that they have done smaller partial installations and patch jobs on other schools.
White Pine Principal Walker addressed the Board. He put order of need for the school as kitchen, band room and classrooms. Principal Walker praised his students,faculty and staff, pointing out that White Pine School does not incur the same expenses as several other schools, as it has no upkeep for football fields, no upgrade for gym floors. He made note that there is a space issue for parking and no room for additional portables.
Board Member Cox made a motion to assign any capital project money that has not been allocated to the White Pine School Project. He was 2nd by Board Member Solomon. The motion passed 5-2 with Board Members Potts and Bradley voting no. With the addition of the funds pulled from other capital projects, minus the cost of the windows at Piedmont due to the contract already being in place, the School Board is still more than $100,000 short of funding the full project and the plans for the project must be approved by the Jefferson County Budget Committee to retain the County’s $1 million dollar contribution to the project. The Budget Committee, who previously approved the funding of the 2016/2017 Capital Projects Plan, will have to address the shift in funding allocation. The School Board still has a little more than $600,000 in their fund balance, should they decide to and be approved to use it to complete the funding of the White Pine project.
